In rural America, scarce doctors battle misinformation as they practice medicine

[Dulcinea]

(NPR) When Dr. Banu Symington first moved to Rock Springs, Wyo., 30 years ago, she appreciated its empty desert landscapes and small-town respect for physicians like herself.

Fast-forward to today. Some of Symington's cancer patients curse at her for suggesting they vaccinate or wear masks to protect their weakened immune systems while undergoing chemotherapy.

"I actually had a patient's husband say, 'You only want me to mask because you're a liberal bitch.'"

Symington is among many doctors who say political attacks on science and medicine are affecting their relationships with patients, particularly in rural communities, where physician recruitment already poses a chronic challenge. Increasingly, misinformation and conspiracy theories about health fill a vacuum created by the lack of doctors, adding challenges to care. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's dramatic changes to health, science, public health and immigration policies are making recruitment of overseas talent tougher.

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/15/nx-s1-5534324/rural-health-care-doctors-disinformation

[hatrack]

1. The article noted that Wyoming has five oncologists in the entire state . . .

And soon it will be four when Dr. Symington retires, and eventually none. The good news is that there will be plenty of ivermectin and bleach down at the feed store.

[llmart]

3. The better news is that...

some of the stupid magats will die off helping to thin the herd. However, they can gain satisfaction by knowing that they "owned the libs".

[3Hotdogs]

2. I would tell them, "I'm no longer treating you. Maybe Dr. Kennedy, Jr. in D.C. has

a time opening in his practice for you."

[Demobrat]

7. Yes they should be dropped as patients.

Scarce resources should not be wasted on people who abuse them.

[Wonder Why]

16. I would suggest "You should look for a doctor who agrees with your beliefs if you don't want to follow

my medical advice".

[Ray Bruns]

4. I've always believed that stupid people should be punished.

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. I don't know about that...

But, willfully stupid people definitely need to be.

[GiqueCee]

10. First...

... make genuine attempt to enlighten them. If that doesn't take, then smack 'em upside the head. Figuratively speaking, of course.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Doctors getting abused as they try to save a patient's life.

These people are doing a Darwin on themselves.

[debsy]

15. Unfortunately, stupid people breed more

Therefore, it is a perpetuating snowball of stupidity that could only be overcome by education. We have seen this for millennia. That’s why autocrats don’t like free public education.

[Passages]

8. Decaying society.

[bronxiteforever]

12. This!

[IronLionZion]

9. If enough MAGAts die to own the libs

it could make a difference in some swing states and districts in elections.

[JT45242]

11. They should leave and go somewhere they were wanted, shortages everywhere

Let Wyoming die like people in the dark ages and ho somewhere else where you could actually do good.

[debsy]

13. And nurses too!

My daughter and her husband are nurses and they have to deal with the same stuff, probably more than doctors do, not to minimize the doctors’ experiences. Nurses, especially in hospitals, spend a lot more time with patients than doctors and are subject to the same scenarios.

[Crowman2009]

14. Maybe this is how the Native Americans get their land back.

Due the brain dead descendants of the settlers dying out in these remote areas.

[Skittles]

17. these are the same idiots who "do their own research"

fucking MORONS